Stock trading and business investment frauds are behind nearly 60% of all financial losses suffered by cybercrime victims in Telangana, according to the Telangana Cyber Security Bureau (TGCSB). The figure was shared as the state launched its Independence Day cyber safety campaign, "Suraksha Ka Tiranga," aimed at building public awareness and encouraging safer online habits.
A Campaign With Star Power
Themed "Towards a Cyber Independent Telangana," the campaign was launched in Hyderabad on the eve of Independence Day, with DGP C.V. Anand, TGCSB Director Shikha Goel, actor Akkineni Nagarjuna Rao, senior police officers, students, teachers, and community representatives all in attendance.
Telangana's Numbers Are Actually Improving
While investment fraud remains a significant threat, the broader picture in Telangana looks encouraging. Goel pointed out that cybercrime complaints rose by 24% nationally in 2025, while Telangana actually recorded a 3% decline over the same period. Financial losses linked to cybercrime in the state fell by 20.2%, compared to a national reduction of just 3%.
That improvement carried into 2026 as well: in the first half of the year, cybercrime complaints in Telangana dropped by 10.2%, and financial losses fell by 26.8%. Interestingly, the proportion of funds successfully put on hold, meaning stopped before fraudsters could withdraw them, also rose, from 21% to 29%.
Telangana's overall performance earned it the top national rank in the Pragati review, which evaluates states across nine cybercrime performance parameters, including how effectively they use national platforms like Samanvaya, Sahyog, the Money Recovery Module, and the Grievance Redressal Module.
What the Campaign Is Actually Asking People to Do
During the launch, actor Akkineni Nagarjuna Rao shared his own approach to staying safe online: never acting in a hurry, always verifying unexpected messages, and never responding to calls or messages designed to pressure him into quick decisions. His point echoed a theme that ran through the entire event, that fraudsters typically succeed by exploiting trust and urgency rather than any technical sophistication.
DGP C.V. Anand reinforced that message, saying an alert, informed citizen remains the strongest defence against cybercrime, and urged people to pause and verify before sharing money or personal information, and to report fraud immediately when it happens.
As part of the launch, campaign posters and awareness films were released, and students from SPARC clubs were recognised with appreciation certificates for their cyber-awareness content, alongside certificates presented to police units that performed well in the Pragati review.
Why Investment Scams Still Stand Out
Despite the overall positive trend in complaint and loss numbers, investment fraud, particularly scams built around fake stock trading and business investment opportunities, remains the single biggest financial drain on cybercrime victims in the state. The campaign is specifically designed to push back against this pattern, encouraging people to scrutinise unexpected investment pitches, resist pressure to act quickly, and independently verify any request involving money or personal financial information.
Authorities reiterated that speed matters if fraud does happen: anyone affected is urged to contact the cybercrime helpline at 1930 or file a report immediately through the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal.
FAQs
Q1. What percentage of cybercrime losses in Telangana come from investment scams?
Stock trading and business investment frauds account for nearly 60% of cybercrime-related financial losses in the state.
Q2. How has Telangana's cybercrime situation changed recently?
Complaints fell by 3% in 2025 (versus a 24% national rise) and financial losses dropped by 20.2%. In the first half of 2026, complaints fell a further 10.2% and losses dropped 26.8%.
Q3. What is the "Suraksha Ka Tiranga" campaign?
It's Telangana's Independence Day cyber safety campaign, themed "Towards a Cyber Independent Telangana," focused on building public awareness around online fraud, especially investment scams.
Q4. What should someone do if they fall victim to cyber fraud?
Authorities advise contacting the cybercrime helpline at 1930 or reporting the incident immediately through the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal.